The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.
Lectures & learning
• The Sierra Club Seal Society presents a talk on the birthing and biology of sea lions, followed by a walk to see the animals, beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery, 7916 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Email [email protected].
• Yiddishland presents three literature-oriented courses online Sundays through Aug. 3. “Treasures of 20th-Century Yiddish Literature from Latin America” is held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., “Yiddish Classes for Absolute Beginners” is from 11 a.m. to noon and “Yiddish Classes for Absolute Beginners 2” is from 1 to 2 p.m. $280 for each course. Register at yiddishlandcalifornia.org.
Arts & culture
• The La Jolla Library Poetry Group meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-library-poetry-group-447926
• Author Chris Baron discusses his book “Spark” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $19.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/baron-2025
• La Jolla country-Western band Arthur and his Knights plays from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Hennessey’s Tavern, 7811 Herschel Ave., La Jolla. Free. 858-551-8772
• Turtle Rock Ridge Wine Bar presents local musician Jon Ford performing beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, July 18, at 1261 Prospect St., La Jolla. Free. 760-533-4397
• ArtPower at UC San Diego presents The Cream of Clapton Band performing music of Eric Clapton at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 18, at UCSD’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. Clapton’s bass player, Nathan East, and his son Noah East will be among the performers. $20-$68. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/creamofclaptonband-24nights
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author Jo Piazza discussing her book “Everyone is Lying to You” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 18, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $19 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/piazza-2025
• Author Rachel Joyce discusses her book “The Homemade God” at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 19, online via Zoom in an event presented by Warwick’s bookstore in La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/joyce-2025
• The San Diego Poetry Annual Reading is set for 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Published poets will offer readings, after which all poets who wish to can read one of their works. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/san-diego-poetry-annual-reading-461966
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents the exhibition “Harvest & Gather: Missed Connections” through Saturday, July 19, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The exhibit features papier-maché sculptures and fiber installations made with paper waste. ljathenaeum.org/events/exhibition-2025-harvest-gather
• The annual Concerts by the Sea series presented by the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla runs from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. each Sunday through Aug. 3 at Scripps Park, 1100 Coast Blvd., La Jolla. The remaining performers are: July 20, Abbey Road (Beatles tribute); July 27, Jimmy’s Buffet (Jimmy Buffett tribute); Aug. 3, Full Strength (dance-funk band). Free. kiwanisclublajolla.org/event/concerts-by-the-sea
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents its 2025 Summer Festival with pianist Gustavo Romero playing the music of Rachmaninoff at 4 p.m. Sundays, July 20 and 27, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Dinner will be offered after the July 27 concert. $50 per concert for Athenaeum members, $55 for non-members and $200 with dinner. ljathenaeum.org/summer-festival
• Daniel Silva, author of “An Inside Job,” will speak at 7 p.m. Monday, July 21, at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center’s Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $36-$48. my.lfjcc.org/15352/15353
• ArtPower at UC San Diego hosts Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino presenting “Exotic Themes for the Silver Screen” as he reimagines his scores from “Lost,” “Ratatouille,” “Star Trek” and more at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday July 22, at UCSD’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. Tickets start at $30. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/michael-giacchino-exotic-themes
• Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino and Pete Docter, chief creative officer of Pixar, discuss their work and their longtime collaboration on multiple films, including “Up,” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. Docter has worked on some of Pixar’s most popular films, including ”Inside Out” and “Monsters Inc.” $25-$60. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/pete-docter-michael-giacchino
• The La Jolla Historical Society presents a walking tour of some of the La Jolla hangouts of famed late author Raymond Chandler — creator of the Phillip Marlowe detective character in books such as “The Big Sleep” and “Farewell My Lovely” — along with local settings from Chandler’s last novel, “Playback,” beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at 780 Prospect St. The 90-minute tour will be led by La Jolla historian Carol Olten. $10 for Historical Society members, $20 for non-members. bit.ly/45XgEJp
• San Diego Public Library’s Summer Reading Program presents “Kamishibai Storytime with Write Out Loud” at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 25, in the Community Room of the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The event is intended for children of preschool and elementary school age. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/srp-program-placeholder-431472
• The La Jolla Music Society presents its annual SummerFest series of classical music concerts from Friday, July 25, to Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. In addition to the 20 ticketed concerts, 50 free events including open rehearsals, Artist Lounges, Encounters, coaching workshops and musical preludes will be offered throughout the festival. Full schedules and ticket information: theconrad.org/summerfest, theconrad.org/summerfest-learning-and-engagement
• The La Jolla Community Center presents its 2025 Fourth Friday Jazz Series at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Upcoming performances, beginning at 8 p.m., are: July 25: Brian Levy, “Jazz Standards & Ballads”; Aug. 22: Rose Mallett, “Standards Exuding Peace & Joy”; Sept. 26: Holly Hofmann, “Autumn Jazz”; and Oct. 24: Gilbert Castellanos, “Afro-Cuban Latin Jazz Celebration.” $25 per concert for Community Center members and $30 for non-members in advance; $35 at the door. ljcommunitycenter.org/ffjs
• “Life in the Ocean,” an exhibition presented by the San Diego Underwater Photographic Society in partnership with the arts committee of Friends of the La Jolla Library, runs through Thursday, Sept. 25, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The annual event features many local photographers. A public reception will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26. Free. 858-552-1657
• The Joseph Bellows Gallery in La Jolla hosts the solo art exhibition “Nan Brown: Trailers Collected” through Saturday, July 26, at 7661 Girard Ave. The show features Brown’s typology of mobile homes. Free. josephbellows.com/exhibitions/nan-brown2
• Quint Gallery, in collaboration with curator Mashonda Tifrere of Art Genesis, presents the exhibition “Somewhere in Between,” featuring artists Taylor Chapin, Megan Gabrielle, Sasha Koozel Reibstein, Victor Ubah, Elizabeth Waggett and Nathan Wong, from Saturday, July 26, to Saturday, Aug. 16, at 7655 Girard Ave., La Jolla. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. July 26. Free. quintgallery.com/exhibitions
• Warwick’s bookstore presents author John Masiulionis discussing his book “Walking Each Other Home” at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. warwicks.com/event/masiulionis-2025
• Author Becky Aikman discusses her book “Spitfires” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 28, at Warwick’s bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free, or $31.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/aikman-2025
• The La Jolla Woman’s Club hosts a signing event by Chase Reynolds Ewald and Heather Sandy Hebert for their book “California Coastal” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at 7791 Draper Ave. To register, call Michelle Dykstra at 858-344-7653. lajollawomansclub.org/calendar/california-coastal-mix-and-mingle-event
• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library will host two evenings with jazz musician Kenny Werner — a lecture at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, and a solo piano concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 31, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The lecture will discuss Werner’s book “Effortless Mastery: Liberating the Master Musician Within” and more. $16-$21 for the lecture, $50-$55 for the concert. ljathenaeum.org/special-concerts
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Reflections 2025 Showcase: Exploring Contemporary Art” from Thursday, July 31, to Sunday, Aug. 24, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Art from this year’s Reflections workshop for adults 55 and older will be featured. Free. mcasd.org/events/reflections-showcase-2025
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is displaying “Memories of an American Past,” featuring works from MCASD’s permanent collection, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibit highlights installations by Vito Acconci and Gary Simmons, along with works by Amy Adler, Terry Allen, Sadie Barnette, Rafael Canogar, Allan Sekula and William E. Jones. mcasd.org/about/press/memories-of-an-american-past
• City Ballet of San Diego presents “Ballet Under the Stars” at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $30. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/cityballet-underthestars
• ArtPower at UC San Diego presents “DCOM: Live!” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at UCSD’s Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. The music and dance concert will feature songs from Disney Channel original movies “High School Musical,” “Camp Rock,” “The Cheetah Girls,” “Descendants” and more. $15-$33. amphitheater.ucsd.edu/event/dcomlive
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego hosts the art exhibition “An Artful Life: A Tribute to Matthew C. Strauss” through Sunday, Aug. 3, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. mcasd.org/exhibitions/an-artful-life
• Two Rooms gallery presents the art exhibition “Present Tense,” featuring works of Kirstyn Hom and Sibyl Rubottom, through Saturday, Aug. 9, at 5560 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. Hom’s art uses experimental craft techniques and dyes from plant matter, while Rubottom’s spans painting, collage, textile, printmaking, book arts and letterpress. tworoomsgallery.com
• The La Jolla Historical Society presents the “Kumeyaay Visual Storytelling Project,” an exhibition that brings together the graphic novels “Our, Past, Present and Future” and “Beyond Gaming,” written by Kumeyaay tribal historians Ethan Banegas, Michael Connolly Miskwish, Lorraine Orosco and Stanley Rodriguez and illustrated by John Swogger. The event runs through Sunday, Aug. 31, at 780 Prospect St. Free. lajollahistory.org/current-and-upcoming
• Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography hosts “Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen” at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The installation features 11 projects blending art and science into interactive experiences focused on scientific ocean exploration. The exhibition, part of the Getty Foundation series “PST Art: Art & Science Collide,” runs until September. Included with aquarium admission. aquarium.ucsd.edu
• “Prospect 2025,” this year’s renewal of an annual exhibition highlighting artworks being considered for acquisition, runs through Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The show features five sculptural artworks by Hugh Hayden, Daniela Gomez Paz, Ryan Preciado, Sarah Rosalena and Barbara Sanchez-Kane. mcasd.org/exhibitions/prospect-2025
• “Land and Sea: Selections from the Collection,” an exhibit featuring land and seascapes by more than 20 artists with connections to the region, runs through Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. It includes pieces in the museum’s current collection, as well as new acquisitions. mcasd.org/exhibitions/new-on-view
• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “A Burial in Shanghai,” an exhibit of large paintings by Chinese-born artist Yan Pei-Ming, through Sunday, Jan. 4, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. mcasd.org/exhibitions/yan-pei-ming
Galas & events
• The La Jolla Community Center hosts a “Red, White & Brew Summer Happy Hour” from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The event will feature light bites, drinks, games, raffle prizes and optional red, white and blue attire. Free for Community Center members, $25 for non-members. ljcommunitycenter.org/specialevents
• San Diego Public Library’s Summer Reading Program presents “Superhero Science Show with Fleet Science Center” at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 18, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The event is intended for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/srp-program-placeholder-431471
• Congregational Church of La Jolla presents “Chocolate Connection: Celebrating Chocolate Holidays” with church music director and professional chocolate expert Nina Gilbert from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20, at 1216 Cave St. Gilbert will discuss chocolate’s connections to art, history, science, politics, economics and literature and offer tastings of nine chocolates from around the world. Free, though donations are welcome. To reserve a seat, email [email protected].
• San Diego Public Library’s Summer Reading Program presents “Scientific Serenade Show with Fleet Science Center” at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The show, intended for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, will feature Fleet Science Center professionals exploring the components of sound and how they combine to create what we hear every day. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/srp-program-placeholder-431473
• The Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa hosts a Tea in the Garden Series with a rotating lineup of themed afternoon high teas on Sundays, Aug. 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 19, at 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road. $75. bit.ly/4jZblwR
• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts “Remember Us the Holocaust,” or “RUTH,” an exhibit that features stories of Holocaust survivors living in San Diego County and artifacts from the Holocaust and World War II, through June 28, 2026, at 7555 Draper Ave. Free. bit.ly/49TLiDr. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/ruth-exhibit-program-418127
Do you have an event — online or in person — that you’d like to see here? Email your leads to Rob Vardon at [email protected] by noon Friday for publication in the following week’s edition. ♦
